With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror (with the exception of those leftovers in the back of the refrig that will make themselves known in the new year), my attention turns towards Christmas.
Happy holidays Hal. It looks like you have some great traditions lined up for this coming season. I get my fill of turkey at Thanksgiving so I usually opt for ham at Christmas. I am not big on gifts but I love the music, decorations, and celebrating life with others. May you find joy in each day.
You have indeed ushered in the holidays with reflections on transitions and the best gift of all--music. Thank you Hal! I am looking forward to opening these gifts. From comments thus far, it looks like it's a Ray Coniff kind of season so far. I love how a shared experience resonates. On my end, holiday spirit was very early and surprisingly ushered in with tremendous glow for me when I (Dana came too) attended the Irish Tenors concert at the Hope Center for the Arts in Springfield, on the day after Thanksgiving. From beginning to end we smiled. Several times, we touched our hearts after being moved by a piece. The musicianship was stunning and their being beautifully accompanied by 4 string members of the Springfield Symphony was a cherry on top. The mix of classical, Irish, and popular was a wonderful mix. Who knew? May blessings abound.
Hi Kerry, The Irish Tenors concert sounds wonderful! I'm so glad that you and Dana had the chance to go. On Sunday, Chris and I went to Boston for the Handel & Haydn Society presentation of Messiah. As always, it was superb. It's so wonderful that we all have great music to enjoy this season. Now I need to pull out my bins of Christmas CDs! I have an old 78 RPM that my turntable won't play any longer (I think it's called Howdy Doody at Christmastime) - and I'm going to dig it out and see if I can find someone with a turntable that can play it so I could digitize it. Not sure if you watched him as a kid ... but there was Howdy Doody, Buffalo Bob Smith, Mr. Bluster, Clarabelle the Clown, Princess Summerfallwinterspring, and others. Fond memories...
Thanks for your musings. I am kind of in the Ray Coniff mode this year. Each year seems to be different depending on how things are going. Some things to embrace, some things to let go. But there is something deep down beyond the trappings of the holidays that must speak to us to keep celebrating in a way that makes sense this year.
Thanks Elena, and cheers to you as well! Argentina! A beautiful country. I spent a few days in Buenos Aires about 5 years ago and really loved it. Of course, I just saw it as a brief tourist, but it seemed rich, vibrant, and very alive - with art and music and emotion. Wishing you wonderful holidays ahead!
Happy holidays Hal. It looks like you have some great traditions lined up for this coming season. I get my fill of turkey at Thanksgiving so I usually opt for ham at Christmas. I am not big on gifts but I love the music, decorations, and celebrating life with others. May you find joy in each day.
Thanks Matthew! I am indeed looking forward to the season ahead. Wishing you all the best.
I love the suggestion of patience for when there is discontinuity of a tradition
Indeed. But sometimes easier to say than to do.
You have indeed ushered in the holidays with reflections on transitions and the best gift of all--music. Thank you Hal! I am looking forward to opening these gifts. From comments thus far, it looks like it's a Ray Coniff kind of season so far. I love how a shared experience resonates. On my end, holiday spirit was very early and surprisingly ushered in with tremendous glow for me when I (Dana came too) attended the Irish Tenors concert at the Hope Center for the Arts in Springfield, on the day after Thanksgiving. From beginning to end we smiled. Several times, we touched our hearts after being moved by a piece. The musicianship was stunning and their being beautifully accompanied by 4 string members of the Springfield Symphony was a cherry on top. The mix of classical, Irish, and popular was a wonderful mix. Who knew? May blessings abound.
Hi Kerry, The Irish Tenors concert sounds wonderful! I'm so glad that you and Dana had the chance to go. On Sunday, Chris and I went to Boston for the Handel & Haydn Society presentation of Messiah. As always, it was superb. It's so wonderful that we all have great music to enjoy this season. Now I need to pull out my bins of Christmas CDs! I have an old 78 RPM that my turntable won't play any longer (I think it's called Howdy Doody at Christmastime) - and I'm going to dig it out and see if I can find someone with a turntable that can play it so I could digitize it. Not sure if you watched him as a kid ... but there was Howdy Doody, Buffalo Bob Smith, Mr. Bluster, Clarabelle the Clown, Princess Summerfallwinterspring, and others. Fond memories...
Thanks for your musings. I am kind of in the Ray Coniff mode this year. Each year seems to be different depending on how things are going. Some things to embrace, some things to let go. But there is something deep down beyond the trappings of the holidays that must speak to us to keep celebrating in a way that makes sense this year.
So true. What is at the core, beneath those trappings? That must speak to us - I agree. Wishing you a wonderful and meaningful season ahead, Carol.
Hello Hal, Ray Conniff was a favorite in Argentina as an adolescent. Cheers to you!
Thanks Elena, and cheers to you as well! Argentina! A beautiful country. I spent a few days in Buenos Aires about 5 years ago and really loved it. Of course, I just saw it as a brief tourist, but it seemed rich, vibrant, and very alive - with art and music and emotion. Wishing you wonderful holidays ahead!